Quick Picks That Show What’s Free and What You’ll Pay For
Amazon Prime can be a treasure hunt. Some holiday movies are included, some are rentals, and some hide behind the mysterious world of Freevee with ads. To save you time (and possibly $12.96 in random rentals), here is the fast, parent-friendly guide to which kids Christmas movies are worth watching on Prime in 2025.
Let’s get right to the point.
Elf
Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes
Status: Rental $3.99 Purchase: $6.99
Buddy the Elf’s candy-covered adventure is a must-watch classic every December, but on Prime this one usually costs money. Worth the rental if you have not watched it yet this year.
Arthur Christmas
Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes
Status: Included with Prime
A high-tech North Pole, a clumsy hero, and a new way to save Christmas. Kids love the gadgets. Parents love that it is actually free.
The Story of Santa Claus
Runtime: 47 minutes
Status: Included with Prime
A short, sweet origin story that explains how Santa began delivering gifts. Perfect for bedtime and attention spans that fade after snack number three.
The Star
Runtime: 1 hour 26 minutes
Status: Rental
Funny animals help tell the story of Christmas from a whole new angle. If your kids love talking animal movies, this one is worth a rental.
A Christmas Story
Runtime: 1 hour 33 minutes
Status: Free with Ads (Freevee)
The leg lamp, the bunny suit, and the tongue on a frozen pole. Kids laugh. Parents laugh harder. Free with ads keeps it worth the watch every year.
The Polar Express
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Status: Rental
Magical, musical, and emotional. If your kids like trains or hot cocoa, this rental becomes a yearly tradition.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey)
Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes
Status: Free with Ads (Freevee)
Loud, funny, and completely quotable. If your kids want to watch it more than once, watching free with ads beats renting it somewhere else.
Barbie in A Christmas Carol
Runtime: 1 hour 16 minutes
Status: Rental
A sparkly twist on the classic story. Great for kids who love princesses, dresses, and dramatic gift-giving.
Merry Madagascar
Runtime: 30 minutes
Status: Included with Prime
Alex, Marty, and the whole crew try to save Christmas. It is short, silly, and ideal for nights when bedtime needs to happen soon.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Classic Claymation)
Runtime: 47 minutes
Status: Rental
Nostalgic, charming, and old-fashioned. Worth renting if you want to share the classics without digging through old DVDs.
Final Thoughts
Prime Video is great when you know what is free, what is paid, and when Freevee ads are worth sitting through. Check the status before pressing play, dodge surprise rentals, and snack your way through the season like Buddy the Elf would want.
2025 Disney Plus Holiday Movies for Kids & Families here
2025 Netflix Holiday Movies for Kids & Families here
2025 Peacock Holiday Movies for Kids & Families here
